How It Started

In 2016, I had the opportunity to attend the Reformed Presbyterian International Conference. Although I was a sophomore in high school, I had the chance to listen to some of the adult evening lectures. To be honest, I do not remember much from this conference, apart from one talk.

At this conference, a few members from the churches in Japan were present, and one of their pastors gave an update on the churches in Kobe. He shared a great deal about God’s work in Japan, but he also emphasized the need for encouragement, especially for the youth. Ever since that one short talk, God put in my heart a desire to meet His churches in Japan.

Purpose

Three years later, I was finally able to visit Japan on a short-term mission trip. As I was preparing, I was not completely sure what to expect; I had been basically told that the members in Japan needed fellowship with other Christians. However, my time in Japan was fruitful in many additional ways. The Lord often works in ways that we do not expect.

I spent about a month serving in Kobe with a fairly large team. One of the members on our team was appointed as leader, but one of the Japanese pastors also served as a leader. When we first met the pastor, he offered a clear focus for our trip. Our aim was primarily to strengthen our relationship with God; second, we were there to serve the churches in Japan.

For three years I was trying to prepare for this mission trip, but for a long time I struggled with understanding my true aim. However, this new perspective focused me on God rather than on myself. He was the purpose of our mission; we were there in the hope that the Lord would use us to further His kingdom. Yet, one of the most practical ways to serve the churches in Japan was to simply live among them and build relationships with the people there.

Daily Life

Life as a Christian in Japan is difficult. Many people in Japan have never heard of Christianity. Although I was there for a short period of time, I saw that the difference between the Christians and the non-Christians was distinct.

Christians in Japan often feel isolated. They feel like they are alone in daily life, like their existence is being denied. This impression is so strong that sometimes it can feel like Christians do not exist in Japan. They have to face these struggles daily, depending on God for strength and perseverance.

There are not really any perks to being a Christian in Japan. Because of this, the believers there are bold and forward. They truly are unashamed of the gospel. In the midst of their daily labors, it is evident that they are faithful in putting their trust in the Lord.

Growth and Encouragement

The Christians in Japan invested a lot in us, and we tried our best to do the same for them. My team and I shared our testimonies multiple times, but we also had the opportunity to hear testimonies from some of the Japanese believers. Often, people would approach me afterwards and ask me challenging questions. At first I found it a little intimidating, but eventually I realized that this led to us being able to understand each other better. It was always a great encouragement in the end.

Taking time to get to know the people in Kobe led me to realize how much God is blessing them, despite their small numbers. The Christians in Japan are eager to share how the Lord is working in their churches. They often shared about new members, baptisms, ministries, and many more blessings. Even though I went to Japan hoping to encourage the members there, the Japanese Christians encouraged me.

Michelle Kim is currently a freshman studying art at the University of Michigan. She is the youngest of four siblings and is a member of the Southfield, Mich., RPC.